Requirements: Halted at Attention; in Line Formation; atNormal Interval; in the Cadence of Quick Time

The command is Open Ranks, MARCH. On the command MARCH, the fourth rank stands fast and automatically executes dress right dress at normal interval.

Each succeeding rank in front of the fourth rank takes the required numbered of paces, stepping off with the left foot and a coordinated armswing (all at the same time), halts, and automatically executes dress right dress.

The third rank takes one pace forward, halts and automatically executes dress right dress

The second rank takes two paces forward, halts and automatically executes dress right dress

The first rank takes three paces forward, halts and automatically executes dress right dress

Once halted, the distance between ranks will be 70 inches.

The flight commander proceeds and aligns the flight. Once the flight is aligned, the flight commander commands Ready, FRONT. If the flight is to be inspected, the flight commander takes one step forward and faces to the right in a position in front of the guide.

The flight commander salutes and reports to the inspector Sir (Ma'am),____ Flight is prepared for inspection. As soon as the flight commander has been inspected, he or she is asked to accompany the inspector. The flight commander then executes a left face (down line) and commands Second, Third, and Fourth Elements, Parade, REST. The flight commander executes a half left in marching without arm swing and halts one pace to the right and one pace to the rear of the inspector. (This causes the flight commander to the inspector.)

This position is maintained throughout the inspection of the front of each respective rank. When moving from individual to individual during the inspection, the inspector and flight commander simultaneously execute a face to the right in marching and an inplace halt.

The movement is executed by pivoting 90 degrees to the right on the ball of the right foot, simultaneously stepping over the right foot with the left foot and placing the left foot parallel to the rank being inspected. Then advance one short step with the right foot, and place the right foot pointed toward the flight.

Next bring the left heel into the right heel, and once again reassume the position of attention. The upper portion of the body remains at the position of attention, and the arm swing is suspended throughout when inspecting the front of each rank.

These movements should place the inspector directly in front of the next individual to be inspected, still preceded by the flight commander. After the inspector has inspected the last individual in the front rank, the flight commander hesitates momentarily and allows the inspector to precede him or her as the inspector inspects the front rank from the rear.

Normally, during the inspection of the rear of each rank, the flight commander follows the inspector approximately two paces to the rear, halting when the inspector halts. After inspecting the rear of each rank, the flight commander halts in front of the second person of each rank and faces to the right at the same time as the inspector halts in front of the first person. (These procedures are used to inspect the front and rear of subsequent ranks.)

After inspecting the entire flight, the inspector marches off to the right flank (element leaders) of the flight. The flight commander proceeds directly to a position three paces beyond the front rank, halts, faces to the left (down line), and commands Flight, ATTENTION.

The flight commander then takes one step forward with arm swing and faces to the right. The inspector marches to a position directly in front of the flight commander and gives comments. After receiving comments, the flight commander salutes the inspector upon departure. The inspector executes the appropriate facing movement to depart. Before giving further commands, the flight commander faces left (down line) and commands Close Ranks, MARCH, gives parade rest, at ease, or rest (whichever is appropriate), and posts in front of and centered on the flight.

If inspection results are recorded, the following procedures apply:
While the flight commander is inspected, the recorder; that is, first sergeant or flight sergeant, takes one step to the rear, faces to the right, and marches to a position one pace to the right and one pace to the front of the guide. He or she then faces down line and prepares to record the inspection results.

The recorder follows the inspector, who is always moving forward, in the front and rear of each rank. (The flight commander follows the recorder during the inspection of the rear of each rank.) Once the inspector inspects from the rear the last individual in each rank, normally the guide or element leader, the inspector turns and halts directly in front of the element leader of the next rank.

The recorder marches past the inspector and reassumes the position of following the inspector. After the last element has been inspected, the inspector inspects the recorder and commands POST. The recorder posts. The flight commander marches three paces beyond the front rank, halts, faces to the left (down line), commands Flight, ATTENTION, takes one step forward with arm swing, faces to the right, receives comments from the inspector, and salutes upon departure.

Before giving further commands, the flight commander faces left and commands Close Ranks, MARCH. He or she then gives parade rest, at ease, or rest; whichever is appropriate, and posts in front of and centered on the flight.

When the inspection party finishes inspecting the first element and before the inspector halts in front of the first person of the second element, the second element leader assumes the position of attention. The element leader turns his or her head approximately 45 degrees down line and commands Second Element, ATTENTION.

When the first element leader can see the inspector out of the corner of his or her eye, the element leader turns his or her head down line and commands First Element, Parade, REST. This procedure is repeated throughout the remaining elements.

Close Ranks

To close ranks when at open ranks, the command is Close Ranks, MARCH. On the command MARCH, the first rank stands fast.

The second rank takes one pace forward with coordinated arm swing and halts at the position of attention

The third rank takes two paces forward with coordinated arm swing and halts at the position of attention

fourth ranks take three paces forward with coordinated arm swing and halts at the position of attention

Individuals to Leave RanksIn line formation, when calling individuals out of ranks, the command is (Rank and Last Name), (pause) FRONT AND CENTER. Upon hearing his or her name, the individual assumes the position of attention.

On the command FRONT AND CENTER, the individual takes one step backward (with coordinated arm swing), faces to the left or right, proceeds to the closest flank, and then proceeds to the front of the formation by the most direct route. Next, he or she halts one pace in front of and facing the person in command, salutes, and reports as directed.

To direct the individuals return, the command is RETURN TO RANKS. The individual salutes, faces about, and returns by the same route to the same position in the ranks.